Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was sent off on his return from injury as England’s summer tour preparations were dealt a major blow during a 26-24 warm-up defeat to a France rugby XV.
The Exeter wing – appearing for the first time since dislocating a shoulder in December – received a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Les Bleus fly-half Antoine Hastoy in the first half of the non-capped clash at Allianz Stadium.
With 22-year-old Feyi-Waboso facing a suspension, head coach Steve Borthwick is due to name his squad for next month's tour of Argentina and the United States on Monday.
England were at least on course to depart for South America in victorious fashion but, having led by 12 points going into the final 10 minutes, late converted tries from Paul Mallez and Romain Taofifenua snatched success for Fabien Galthie's side in front of a crowd of 34,129.
Scores from Tom Willis, Alex Coles, international newcomer Joe Carpenter and replacement Alex Dombrandt initially turned the contest in the hosts' favour following early efforts from French pair Gaetan Barlot and Hugo Auradou.
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England XV vs France XV live
- England dramatically lose 26-24 to France in non-capped fixture at Twickenham
- Two tries in the final five minutes from France turned things around at the death
- Steve Borthwick's side now head to Argentina for two Tests and also play the USA this summer
- 80' - TRY! Taofifenua barrels over with the final play to snatch victory for Les Bleus (ENG 24-26 FRA)
- 75' - TRY! Mallez grounds the ball from close range (ENG 24-19 FRA)
- 61' - TRY! Dombrandt finishes off a move he started out wide (ENG 24-12 FRA)
- 40' - TRY! Carpenter on hand to finish after Atkinson flips the ball to him (ENG 19-12 FRA)
- 29' - TRY! Coles thunders over to level the score (ENG 12-12 FRA)
- 25' - TRY! Willis burrows over after sustained pressure (ENG 7-12 FRA)
- 10' - TRY! Auradou rumbles over after Attissogbe line-break (ENG 0-12 FRA)
- 7' - TRY! Barlot dots down off the back of a maul as France draw first blood (ENG 0-5 FRA)
WATCH: England score four tries but lose to France
17:42 , Luke BakerHere were England’s four tries today, which proved to be not enough to overcome France
No one's stopping @tomwillis12 from there! 💪
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch England XV v France XV on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
SCORES LEVEL! 💪@ajccoles gets us back in the game! 🔥
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch England XV v France XV on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
What a great teammate! 😍@atkinson_seb sets up Joe Carpenter for England's 3rd! 💪
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
England stretch the lead! 😍
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Alex Dombrandt scores in the corner! 💪
Watch on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
A rollercoaster for England
17:28 , Luke BakerWell, that was something of a rollercoaster for both teams.
France went 12-0 up early on as England started slowly but the hosts hit back with 24 unanswered points despite Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 20-minute red card.
France then received a 20-minute red of their own for Cameron Woki yet snatched two late tries to turn things around in dramatic fashion.
England XV 24-26 France XV
17:24 , Luke BakerA frustrating result for England to lose it at the death when they had the lead so late on.
Plenty of good stuff from England’s fringe players and some will have definitely earned a place on the plane to the Americas this summer. But the way they lost it will sting
FULL-TIME! England XV 24-26 France XV
17:15 , Luke BakerIncredible, incredible stuff. France snatch victory at the death. They trailed by 12 points into the final five minutes but two late tries won it for them.
What a match
TRY! England XV 24-26 France XV (Romain Taofifenua, 80 mins)
17:11 , Luke BakerFrance drive for the line AND THEY’VE SCORED! The Blue wave gets over. Try awarded!
The giant frame of Romain Taofifenua gets over the line and it’s a conversion bang in front.
Antoine Hastoy nails the kick and France have snatched victory! Wow. What a comeback.
England XV 24-19 France XV, 80 mins
17:11 , Luke BakerHEAVE comes the cry. Maul collapsed illegally by England. Penalty coming for France.
They attack from five metres without consequence. Jauneau and Van Tonder both have a dart.
One metre out now...
England XV 24-19 France XV, 80 mins
17:10 , Luke BakerEvery French carry gaining a couple of metres now but they eventually grind to a halt and come back for the penalty after Atkinson was pinged for a no-arms tackle.
Kick to the corner, lineout five metres out...
England XV 24-19 France XV, 80 mins
17:09 , Luke BakerThe clock is now in the red, this will be the final play. France maul from the lineout and get into the 22.
They’ve got a penalty coming but need a try. Can England hold firm?
England XV 24-19 France XV, 78 mins
17:08 , Luke BakerFrance back to 15 men now. The 20-minute red card of Woki is up, so Tyler Duguid, who started in the second row, trots on.
France win the scrum penalty - their first of the game! They boot up towards the England 22 where they’ll have the lineout.
England XV 24-19 France XV, 78 mins
17:07 , Luke BakerThings getting frantic now. Both teams turn the ball over, England throw up a box kick but it bounces forward off Cunningham-South.
A couple of minutes left for France to go from their own half to the winning score
TRY! England XV 24-19 France XV (Paul Mallez, 75 mins)
17:06 , Luke BakerOooh, that’s hard to tell. But they determine that the ball is on the ground and on the line! Paul Mallez picked and went and used his giant frame to ground the ball. Try awarded
Hastoy nails the conversion from out wide and France can pinch this with another converted try now...
England XV 24-12 France XV, 75 mins
17:03 , Luke BakerEngland’s defence holding firm with France stuck between the halfway line and 22. But then they win a penalty when Coles comes in at the side of a ruck.
A lineout in the 22 now. The maul drives on and France are within five metres. They go, and go again. Have they scored the try here? The TMO will check...
England XV 24-12 France XV, 73 mins
17:00 , Luke BakerLineout to the front but it’s a double pump on the throw, that’s illegal and a free-kick to England. So poor by France - a basic error you simply cannot make.
Slade pulverises a kick clear towards halfway and France’s chance goes begging.
England XV 24-12 France XV, 72 mins
16:59 , Luke BakerFrance have penalty advantage after the maul was illegally stopped, so they go back to the corner. Five metres out and the 14 men need to score here if they still have designs on winning this match...
England XV 24-12 France XV, 71 mins
16:58 , Luke BakerJamie George given a big ovation as he leaves the pitch with Theo Dan coming on. The hooker is an ever-popular character. Chandle Cunningham-South also on for Isiekwe.
France win a lineout on the England 22 and can build from here.
England XV 24-12 France XV, 67 mins
16:54 , Luke BakerEngland go from deep and Hill marauds down the right flank. He kicks through but Gailleton does really well to gather the bouncing ball as he retreats into the 22 with England players chasing.
France eventually able to exit. They then run a counter-attack but they wander wide where Duguivalu is turned over at the breakdown. Good scramble defence by England.
England XV 24-12 France XV, 65 mins
16:52 , Luke BakerRaffi Quirke on for England at scrum half. He immediately grabs a loose ball on the 22 and does well to ensure it comes back England’s way. Then puts his body on the line to bring down Duguivalu out wide
England disrupt a French lineout and cause the knock-on. That chalked-off Le Garrec try aside, Les Bleus have struggled as this match has worn on
RED CARD! England XV 24-12 France XV (Cameron Woki, 62 mins)
16:50 , Luke BakerIt’s France’s turn to see a yellow card turned into a 20-minute red.
The bunker have confirmed that Cameron Woki’s ruck arrival was always illegal, with no wrap, so even though it’s not a high degree of danger, that’s a red.
Harsher than Feyi-Waboso’s I’d say but given current laws, probably the right call. France will have to play most of the rest of the match with 14 men
England XV 24-12 France XV, 61 mins
16:48 , Luke BakerA quick drinks break on this hot day. England will be happy with how things are going now.
TRY! England XV 24-12 France XV (Alex Dombrandt, 61 mins)
16:46 , Luke BakerAnd England immediately capitalise on the man advantage! Alex Dombrandt starts the move with a powerful run into the heart of the French defence.
They go through the phases and then shift the ball to the left, through the hands and Dombrandt is out on the wing to slide over. Very efficient play by the hosts.
Ford misses another conversion - he’s struggling from that right side today - but England lead by 12 points
NO TRY and SIN-BIN! England XV 19-12 France XV, 58 mins
16:43 , Luke BakerActually scratch that. We’ve had a TMO review after Jamie George asks them to check potential foul play.
A good few phases before the try, Cameron Woki goes into a ruck with a tucked shoulder, doesn’t wrap and makes contact with the head of an England player.
It’s deemed foul play and Woki is sent to the sin-bin. That’ll be reviewed to see if it needs a red-card upgrade. The five points are chalked off - doubly bad news for France
TRY! England XV 19-17 France XV, 58 mins
16:40 , Luke BakerOut of nowhere, a try for France! Leo Berdeu comes forward and superbly claims a high ball ahead of Beard. Keeps it alive with a pass to Gailleton and he races through a gap.
The centre is supported by Nolann Le Garrec, pops to him and the La Rochelle-bound scrum half turns on the jets to race over.
Conversion missed but France back in this.
England XV 19-12 France XV, 57 mins
16:37 , Luke BakerGreat clearance kick by Beard - nice first touch, showing off his big right boot, pinning France back towards their own 22.
Alex Dombrandt also on for Willis now in the back row
England XV 19-12 France XV, 55 mins
16:36 , Luke BakerSlaloming run by Roebuck takes England into the 22 but it breaks down when Atkinson pass out wide to Slade under pressure is loose and forward.
And here comes Oscar Beard. The uncapped Harlequin runs on to the pitch with time up on the 20-minute red card for Feyi-Waboso. England back to 15 men.
Beard will play on the wing, he’s more of a centre for Quins but needs must.
NO TRY! England XV 19-12 France XV, 52 mins
16:34 , Luke BakerGreat touchfinder by Slade to give England a five-metre lineout.
And then carnage ensues! The lineout is overthrown, it bounces loose and Fickou flicks it back to Duguivalu. However, a loose pass by the French winger in his own in-goal area sits up and Joe Carpenter can gleefully dive on it for the try!
But it’s a TMO review... Ah, it was actually off Slade’s hand, rather than Fickou’s, so counts as a knock-on. What a reprieve for Les Bleus and Duguivalu in particular.
England XV 19-12 France XV, 50 mins
16:30 , Luke BakerDuguivalu knocks on trying to claim a high ball. This has gone very scrappy, which suits 14-man England to be honest.
We’re treated to a scrum reset first time round before England’s dominance in that facet continues with a penalty. Good work by the English pack
England XV 19-12 France XV, 48 mins
16:28 , Luke BakerWow! What a kick by Le Garrec. Absolutely thunders a kick clear - probably 60 metres from near his own line into England’s half.
Five minutes left on England’s 20-minute red card and they’ve managed it well. George and Hill both down receiving treatment but they’re ok to carry on
England XV 19-12 France XV, 47 mins
16:26 , Luke BakerThe early French fluency has deserted them here and England look sharper. Good compete by Carpenter in the air to get the ball back on England’s side.
Ford’s cross-field bomb puts pressure on Hastoy and the ball squirts out of play.
A slew of changes for France including Romain Taofifenua and Cameron Woki coming on. a bit of veteran nous.
MISSED PENALTY! England XV 19-12 France XV (George Ford, 45 mins)
16:24 , Luke BakerWide to the right but closer than the ten-metre line for George Ford. However, it slips wide of the post and the chance goes begging
England XV 19-12 France XV, 44 mins
16:23 , Luke BakerErdocio pinged for foul play at the lineout so another penalty for England.
And they’ll go for the posts here. With 14 men, leading by seven points they’re going to try and play the scoreboard game.
England XV 19-12 France XV, 43 mins
16:21 , Luke BakerEngland launch an attack, win a penalty and have a platform in the 22.
They’re not going anywhere though so Ford flicks a kick over the top and it bounds into touch five metres out. Classy stuff. Pressure all on France but they gather and exit.
KICK-OFF! England XV 19-12 France XV
16:20 , Luke BakerBack underway. Remember, England are down to 14 men for a little while still after the Feyi-Waboso red
WATCH: England XV v France XV
16:19 , Luke BakerA few highlights from that first half
SCORES LEVEL! 💪@ajccoles gets us back in the game! 🔥
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch England XV v France XV on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
No one's stopping @tomwillis12 from there! 💪
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch England XV v France XV on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
HALF-TIME! England XV 19-12 France XV
16:07 , Luke BakerWell, that was a slightly bizarre half but from 12-0 down, England lead 19-12 at the break.
They’re down to 14 men due to Feyi-Waboso’s red card but do have a lead to protect at least
TRY! England XV 19-12 France XV (Joe Carpenter, 40 mins)
16:04 , Luke BakerAnd somehow, England score just before half-time.
Ford fires a flat pass and Atkinson slices through a gap. It looks like he’s reached the line and scored but is inches short as he pops from the floor. Luckily Joe Carpenter is on hand to catch and barrel over to complete the job.
Ford adds the extras and somehow 14-man England lead by seven!
England XV 12-12 France XV, 39 mins
16:03 , Luke BakerBodies everywhere as Ford gets wiped out and Spencer also goes down during a passage of play. George playing scrum half temporarily!
England still have the ball, up near the 22
RED CARD! England XV 12-12 France XV (Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 38 mins)
16:02 , Luke BakerEngland earn the scrum penalty as France collapse it. The hosts are on top in that facet of the game, for sure.
And now we hear about Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s bunker review. They’ve deemed it has a high degree of danger, he wasn’t in control, and it’s upgraded to a red card. Remember it’s 20-minute red cards these days, so England will be able to bring ona replacement once that’s up but Feyi-Waboso’s day is done.
A sad return from injury for the winger.
England XV 12-12 France XV, 36 mins
15:59 , Luke BakerThey go to Duguid in the lineout but then it’s knocked on in contact. What a mistake from Les Bleus. A reprieve for England, although they’ve got a scrum on their own five-metre line.
England XV 12-12 France XV, 35 mins
15:58 , Luke BakerFrance win another penalty and kick to the corner. They’ll be keen to take advantage of England being down to 14 men.
SIN-BIN! England XV 12-12 France XV (Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 34 mins)
15:56 , Luke BakerFeyi-Waboso with a bit of space to run down the left but then kicks ahead and France gather.
Perhaps frustrated, he chases down Hastoy and that’s an ugly tackle. His arm goes round the fly half’s neck and it’s reckless.
It’s late and high, although there is at least a wrap. He kind of falls off the man but it’s a clear yellow card and that will be reviewed to see if it warrants worse. I think that may be upgraded to red...
England XV 12-12 France XV, 32 mins
15:53 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! Big Joe Heyes almost scores from 40 metres out. Pepper picks up a loose ball and burst through a gap. He’s tap-tackled and offloads from the floor to the big prop.
Heyes huffs and puffs with green grass in front of him and he must be seeing his name up in lights but he’s jusssst caught by Attissogbe before reaching the line. Boo! The ball then squirts loose and France counter but Ford scrambles back to cover the kick. Phew! Harum-scarum stuff
England XV 12-12 France XV, 30 mins
15:51 , Luke BakerColes has a habit of scoring in big matches - he does so for Northampton with regularity. Good skill to have.
TRY! England XV 12-12 France XV (Alex Coles, 29 mins)
15:50 , Luke BakerEven better from England now! Ford with the touch-finding penalty to set a lineout platform.
France expecting a maul but England play off instead and Atkinson churns his way towards the line. Spencer then takes a beat and passes flat to Alex Coles running a great line to crash over. Really good stuff.
Ford misses the penalty but England are back level
SCORES LEVEL! 💪@ajccoles gets us back in the game! 🔥
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 21, 2025
Watch England XV v France XV on YouTube below! 👇#ENGvFRA
England XV 7-12 France XV, 26 mins
15:46 , Luke BakerA well-deserved water break after that try. It’s hot at Allianz Stadium.
England have a foothold now - can they build on this? The kick-off is cleanly taken by Willis and Spencer exits with the box-kick
TRY! England XV 7-12 France XV (Tom Willis, 25 mins)
15:43 , Luke BakerBut eventually the French resolve is broken! Tom Willis picks from the base, goes to the left, targets scrum half Le Garrec and keeps his legs churning to burrow over the line. Good stuff from the Saracen.
Ford with the conversion from near the touchline and nails it! Great kick. That was hard work but England back within five.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 24 mins
15:41 , Luke BakerNow the warning comes from referee Hollie Davidson after another penalty.
England tap again, George goes for the line, Spencer burrows. French hold firm.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 23 mins
15:40 , Luke BakerIsiekwe claims this time but the maul is halted once more. Good maul defence from Les Bleus.
Driving run from Atkinson to a metre out, Spencer then on the plunge. Another penalty. We must be reaching sin-bin time?
Not yet, George taps and goes.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 22 mins
15:39 , Luke BakerColes cleanly claims the lineout, the maul is stopped so they pop to Feyi-Waboso who rides a challenge. Penalty advantage for offside against Fickou and it’s take after a knock-on. Another lineout. Is this the moment?
England XV 0-12 France XV, 21 mins
15:38 , Luke BakerGeorge with a good gain-line carry before Ford switches play with a cross-field bomb that Le Garrec brilliantly takes ahead of Roebuck. England had a penalty anyway after Fickou was pinged and they kick to the corner.
The noise rises at Allianz Stadium. Big opportunity.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 19 mins
15:37 , Luke BakerColes disrupts the French lineout, forcing Auradou to knock on. A few cheers from the English forwards at that turnover.
They then go sideways at a scrum, so we get another reset. Lucky us... Penalty advantage for England, which they take after a short attack with Slade down the blindside goes nowhere. Good territory gain as they earn the lineout near the French 22.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 16 mins
15:33 , Luke BakerBig carries from Willis and Isiekwe before Hill runs a lovely line to make yards. But Feyi-Waboso spills trying to scythe through a gap after collecting a blocked Ford kick.
The precision not quite there for England so far.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 14 mins
15:31 , Luke BakerAnother high bomb put up by Hastoy and Moustin out-competes Carpenter to catch it cleanly. The Sale full back is struggling so far.
A knock-on though, so first scrum of the day. And we immediately get a reset... Quelle surprise!
Second time lucky? Nope. Collapses and free-kick awarded to England for too much French movement pre-engagement. A quick kick to try and catch Les Bleus napping but it bounces into the in-goal area.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 11 mins
15:28 , Luke BakerEngland really need to settle here. France have been so clinical so far.
But another mistake as Carpenter has a foot in touch when catching the ball and it’s a France lineout on halfway.
TRY! England XV 0-12 France XV (Hugo Auradou, 10 mins)
15:27 , Luke BakerFrance’s kicking from hand has been good so far, mainly off 9 with Le Garrec. Attissogbe then brilliantly claims the ball in the air.
England win it back as Carpenter catches but he’s isolated, loses the ball at the breakdown and Attissogbe then slips between tacklers and suddenly he’s racing into the 22.
Space ahead, he pops the pass to the supporting Hugo Auradou and it’s a second try as the lock rumbles over. Simple Le Garrec conversion and England look stunned here
TRY! England XV 0-5 France XV (Gaetan Barlot, 7 mins)
15:23 , Luke BakerGood lineout by France, Auradou jumps and the maul marches again. This time it’s unstoppable.
Gaetan Barlot stays on his feet, breaks off the collapsing maul and powers over the line! First blood Les Bleus.
Tricky kick out on the right for Le Garrec and it’s just wide. Still a five-pointer
England XV 0-0 France XV, 6 mins
15:22 , Luke BakerEngland compound a penalty with a penalty as Coles is pinged for entering the maul illegally from the side and France have the lineout in the 22. Again the French maul marches, again an English indiscretion.
Five-metre lineout and France are knocking on the door... Will anyone answer?
England XV 0-0 France XV, 4 mins
15:20 , Luke BakerEngland looks dangerous with ball in hand. Roebuck wins the aerial ball to set up another attack and the white shirts flow forward.
Brilliantly read by Le Garrec though as he shoots out of the line, slows the carrier down who gets isolated and holds on. Penalty Les Blues, who can clear. Neatly done by the French scrum half.
England XV 0-0 France XV, 3 mins
15:18 , Luke BakerSo close for England! Another clean lineout (Lions, are you watching...), Carpenter and Roebuck involved as the ball is shifted wide to the left.
The returning Feyi-Waboso goes for the line but three France defenders desperately converge on him and the ball pops loose for a goal-line drop out. Last ditch but effective.
England XV 0-0 France XV, 2 mins
15:17 , Luke BakerKick-off cleanly taken and Le Garrec box-kicks all the way up to halfway.
Good first lineout from England as veteran presence George finds his man. Followed by a gorgeous kick from Ford, over Duguivalu and he gets the 50:22.
What a start. And a great attacking plaform
England XV v France XV
15:13 , Luke BakerOnly a few minutes away from kick-off now. Allianz Stadium, Twickenham is getting ready for what should be a fun game
And for France...
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleFrance, meanwhile, go to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks. Fabien Galthie’s side won’t quite be at full strength but have been boosted by an agreement with the Top 14 that will see a selection of finalists available for selection.
Top French players could feature against All Blacks as agreement with Top 14 reached
Coming up for England...
14:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s an interesting summer for England, Steve Borthwick’s side off to Argentina next week for two Tests against the Pumas before also taking on the United States on their way back. With a healthy contingent away with the British and Irish Lions, Borthwick sees this as a chance to bring through a few newer faces in key positions - Seb Atkinson, Alex Coles and Ted Hill are among those really looking to stake a claim today after excellent club seasons.
